Bodø doesn’t shout the way Tromsø or Lofoten do — it whispers. The Arctic city sits between mountains and sea, where the light changes by the minute and ferries glide toward the islands like floating postcards.

It’s easy to think of Bodø as a stopover, but spend a night or two and it becomes something more: a place where the Northern Lights dance over modern hotels, and where fjord air seeps into every plan.

Here’s where to stay, rest, and recharge before heading deeper into the Arctic. And we absolutely love the vibe.

Tucked into the fjords just north of the Arctic Circle, Bodø sits in Norway’s Nordland county as a quiet city surrounded by wild nature.

Bodø combines modern comfort with remote landscapes — so you can explore powerful nature, floating saunas, sea eagles, and Northern Lights without the crowds. In our humble opinion, it’s one of the most underrated places in Norway, and it probably won’t last.

If you’ve seen the Lofoten hype and want something a little quieter (especially in summer) — Bodø might just be your perfect stop.

In Luleå, winter doesn’t whisper — it glows. Between November and March, nights stretch long enough for the Northern Lights to take over the sky, turning this quiet city on Sweden’s frozen coast into one of the Arctic’s most underrated aurora destinations.

We stayed there a week in February, and saw the aurora 3 nights in a row!

Most travelers rush north to Kiruna or Abisko — and miss Luleå’s secret: you can see the Northern Lights here without leaving civilization.

Somewhere between Stockholm’s bustle and the Arctic wilderness, Luleå glows quietly on Sweden’s northern coast. In winter, the sea freezes into an ice road, locals skate to work, and the Northern Lights shimmer above the bay. It’s peaceful, real, and a just the right amount of wild — but with great coffee and cozy beds.

Whether you’re here for the aurora, the architecture, or just a slower pace, here are the best Luleå hotels and nearby Arctic stays.

Sweden is always a good idea, no matter where you go.

This time, to satiate our winterlust, we decided to head a little more South than usual and spend a week in Luleå.

The largest city in Swedish Lapland seemed to have it all, with a well-connected airport, snowy landscapes, cozy cafés and restaurants, and, of course, the frozen Bothnian archipelago. It’s a university town with very few tourists — exactly our kind of places!

Ready to travel to Luleå with us?